Patagonia wedding photographer
PATAGONIA — perhaps the wildest landscape on earth, and one of the most inspiring places I have ever been. Weddings and elopements here are among the most adventurous I’ve ever photographed. I’ve explored this area extensively and helped couples plan their weddings and couples sessions in El Chalten and Torres Del Paine and the surrounding areas. The region is one of my favorite places in the world and I would be happy to share my favorite secret spots there with you.
Where is Patagonia?
On the southern tip of the continent of South America lies the region of Patagonia. It spans two countries — Chile and Argentina — and includes the pampas regions, the fjords, the southern Andes mountains, and the coasts of the Atlantic & Pacific. Because the region is South of the equator, the seasons are flipped, which means summertime is December-March.
Planning a wedding in Patagonia
Windy cliffsides overlooking epic glaciers, turquoise blue alpine lakes, the most toothy and prominent mountain peaks you’ve ever seen. In terms of places to get married, it’s probably one of the most wildly beautiful landscapes you could imagine. Most places here require a bit of hiking to get to, and some decent gear to shield from the ever-changing weather and wind in the region. There are options to overnight backpack to some epic places, or stay in amazing hotels overlooking the fjords. You don’t have to be wildly rugged to experience the place, but a bit of patience for the long flights to get there goes a long way.
Where to Elope in Patagonia
I’ve explored here extensively and have tons of knowledge of the regions within Patagonia. From Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales in Chile to El Chalten in Argentina, I’ve explored over a hundred miles of trails, hundreds more by car, and spent over two months living here. There are also regions I haven’t explored yet that I’d be stoked to visit with you. Ushuaia in the “Tierra del Fuego” and Bariloche in the Lakes District are other places on my list!
Where to stay in Patagonia
Part of the reason I love Patagonia and continue to return is that the options for lodging are so unique and many are completely eco-friendly. Patagonia contains some world class hotels that have received awards and are featured in travel magazines — places like Remota, the Singular, and Tierra Patagonia.
For an all inclusive experience that’s right inside Torres Del Paine National Park, EcoCamp (pictured above) is a great option. I stayed here during my last visit and ate the most incredible locally-sourced food and enjoyed yoga in the studio. You can walk from your door to the trailhead of one of the most amazing hikes in the park. It isn’t just a hotel, but a fully immersive Patagonian experience. It’s also a perfect spot for a small wedding reception if you have guests coming along.
And if you’re on a budget or just want to be fully immersed in the outdoors during your trip, there are some incredible places to camp. Patagonia is very traveler friendly, so there are lots of hostels, Airbnbs, and small boutique hotels as well!
Patagonia Wedding Pricing
Patagonia is wild. It is windy, cloudy, moody, epic, beautiful. That kind of adventure absolutely makes my heart sing. Because of the flexibility required and the unique challenges of the region, pricing and packages are customized to your desired experience and dates.
Typically we pick a date range of three to four days in which we’ll block off for your wedding. Weather is a major factor in this region of the world, so it’s best if we can be flexible and pivot if needed. Quite literally, it’s like setting up to climb a mountain. We’ll do our summit attempt on the day with the clearest weather.
Please get in touch with me for exact pricing and availability for Patagonia Elopements.
Why Patagonia?
This area of the world has completely stolen my heart. Patagonia embodies everything I love about adventure — the wild wind and jarring landscapes, the tiny towns and unique food, the moody weather and feeling of awe you experience when standing below a towering mountain like Fitz Roy or Cerro Torre or the Torres del Paine.
It makes you feel the weight of the commitment you’re making.
It requires the most of you. All of your strength, all of your presentness, all of the love of adventure rooted deeply in your bones.
It is not for the faint of heart. It’s for those whose stories together are gritty and real, for those whose marriage commitment is more than just joining lives, but committing to a lifelong love of pursuing wildness and making epic stories together.
Below — a collection of stories and couples I’ve captured in the wilds of Patagonia.
Patagonia Weddings & Couples Sessions
Patagonia brought out its finest for them. Between sunshine, wind, rain, and clouds, Caitlin and Tim said their vows, read from scripture, and exchanged rings. We scrambled over boulders and marveled at the gem-colored waters of the “Laguna” before us. After exploring the extents of walkable terrain around the lake, Caitlin and Tim popped champagne while it rained sideways with the wind. They hugged tight, stoked beyond stoked to experience the fullness of joy and love and adventure with Patagonia’s infamous weather. And just as soon as it came, the clouds cleared and we hiked down in dry weather to camp for the night.